Based on Amanda Brown’s novel of the same name, Legally Blonde was turned into a popular film in 2001 with Reese Witherspoon playing the surprise heroine Elle Woods. A musical theatre version was further developed and after try outs in San Francisco the show finally aired on Broadway in April 2007. It is very a popular choice for both professional and amateur presentations and this, near sell out, two nighter, main stage, performance at Nottingham Playhouse by Spotlight Theatre Company is testament to that. There is a real buzz both outside the theatre and inside as this evening’s sun blessed and eager audience are clearly excited in their anticipation to see this particular production. One assumes this mass of well wishers are fans of Spotlight’s work, supporters and parents and friends of the cast. Maybe the awaiting crowd is be-spotted with a few ex-students too.

Brown’s novel is partly autobiographical and based on her experiences at Stanford University where she met prejudice and was ostracised by her class mates because of her blonde good looks and So Cal personality. These were deemed to be at odds with the serious blue blood university norm.

Legally Blonde is an empowering story and essentially the tale of never judging a book by its cover and the power of education to transform hearts and minds. Behind the musical’s dazzling pink exterior is a powerful hymn for equality and plea for acceptance, regardless of appearance, experiences or background.

Like many of these expertly structured musicals, the energy and pizazz of the staged world, so cleverly crafted by the writers, belies the politic and gravitas of the message hidden just below the surface. It is only in the final scene that we get the serious aspects of Elle’s journey where we go from laughing at the light hearted humourous situations and enter the world of feminism and equality.

The Legally Blonde music and lyrics are by Lawrence O ‘Keefe and Neil Benjamin and the book by Heather Hach. The New York Times called the original show a ‘non stop sugar rush of a show’ and we follow Elle’s journey maturing from a bright pink princess in love to proper legal eagle. Legally Blonde won three Olivier Awards in 2011 for Best New Musical, Best Actress in a Musical and Best Supporting Role for Jill Halfpenny.

The talented cast in Spotlight’s production of Legally Blonde is enormous but we never feel the stage is over crowded throughout the whole show and at times there is clever use of the side galleries in the auditorium. All the ensemble numbers are smartly choreographed (Jessica Royce) and realised by the well drilled and enthusiastic cast. As ever director Amanda Hall’s direction is professionally achieved and the lighting (Tom Mowat) and sound (Rob Ketteridge) qualities bond the production equally professionally. The whole effect is a total joy to watch and the audience hopefully appreciate the hard work that has taken months to achieve yet gives an appearance of effortless accomplishment.

Whilst the two real dogs that take the roles of Rufus (Hugo) and Bruiser (Lady) gets some of the biggest ‘oohs’ and ‘aaahs’ on appearance, the humans in the lead roles (no pun intended) are certainly to be applauded and are, rather generously throughout.

Ella Greenwood is superbly delightful in the main role Elle Woods. Her singing is gutsy and full of the vivacity and vulnerability of her character and Greenwood’s comedy and straight acting are a perfect Legally Blonde dream in action. She makes her role extremely believable, even in this musical theatre style that often borderlines sugary sweet. The role of her original paramour Warner Huntington lll is taken by Jacob Fowler who it transpires has a very attractive singing voice and Fowler underplays the snobbishness of his character well. Some productions have him as totally objectionable – not this one.

Semi professional Robert Goll (last seen and heard in Chess) gives us a master class in creating his character – Professor Callahan. Goll gives us a very realistic, commanding performance without any bombast, making his professor sympathetic until the later reveal of his insidious and sexually opportunistic personality.

One of the most enjoyable low key performances of the evening is from the subtly enigmatic Patrick McCrystal as educationally and vocationally driven Emmett Forrest. Here is a student that has had to work several jobs alongside his law studies in order to succeed and graduate. We really get the truth of this fully emanating from McCrystal’s well rounded character and the actor’s singing is exemplary.

Newcomer to Spotlight, Laura Thurman is vocally sharp and very funny/sympathetic as Irish music obsessed hair stylist Paulette Bonafonte. Her ‘Bend And Snap’ routine and her relationship with the tight shorts wearing Kyle the UPS Guy played with wry amusement by Alex Huntley is a delight.

Charlotte Howarth’s character Vivienne Kensington is a hard one to pull off. Do you play her as über bitch or something more moderate with a deep ambition to succeed in the tough world of USA lawyers? Howarth opts for the more three dimensional approach and her character and the story benefits from this more organic and culpable approach.

Matt Wesson (Carlos) and Tano Gangemi (Nikos) bring just a tiny amount of campness to the ‘Gay or European?’ section of the show and the audience adore their performances.

Legally Blonde has some cracking songs throughout and although very few are going to be having you hum them on the way home and for weeks afterwards, beauties such as: ‘Omigod You Guys’, ‘Blood On The Water’, ‘Ireland’, ‘Chip On My Shoulder’, ‘Whipped Into Shape’, ‘Bend And Snap’, ‘Legally Blonde’ and ‘Find My Way’ certainly tell the tale well with equal sprinklings of emotional guts and feel goodness.

From the artistic success of last year’s terrific ‘A Chorus Line‘ Spotlight’s 2018 show Legally Blonde only goes to show what extraordinary talents we have in Nottingham on all levels.

"Legally Blonde" by Spotlight Theatre Company.

Nottingham Playhouse.

It may give you an incite to how successful this production was when I say that this audience on Sunday night were the most appreciative and excited audience that I've seen in a while.

Legally Blonde is the story of Elle Woods who is completely smitten with Warner Huntington III when he tells her that she is dumped as he is off to Harvard to study law, and feels that he needs someone more "serious". Elle decides to show him that she is serious by enrolling in Harvard to win him back, unbeknown to her, he has already found his someone serious in Vivienne.

Elle discovers that she has a flair for this legal thing by using unconventional methods and manages to win the day by winning the murder case and freeing the accused, the fitness queen Brooke Wyndham.

In the interim she finds herself a new love, an unlikely ally and a an enemy in Professor Callaghan when she turns the tables on him and shows what a slimeball he really is.

This production is on a par, if not better than the recent touring production. The energy levels, dancing, vocals and comic skills of this immense cast shows what an incredible talent Nottingham's local theatre has. Something that I've known for many years now.

Playing the iconic Elle is Ella Greenwood. She nailed every single aspect of this character. A cross between Marilyn Monroe sexiness with the powerful vocals of Christina Aguilera. O Mi God was she incredible.

Emmett Forrest, who Elle fell in love with, was played by Patrick McChrystal. he is turning out to be a really credible leading man and his voice is getting better all the time. His pitch and his note holding are absolutely spot on, and he was a big hit with the audience as well.

Laura Thurman was so good as Paulette the hairdresser. Again great vocals and lovely comic timing. Great fun to watch and so nice to see her back on stage again after a bit of a hiatus.

Paulette's ideal man is an Irishman and when she finds out that her new UPS delivery man is not only an absolute hunk, but is Irish as well..... Kyle, the UPS man is played with great twinkly-eyed confidence by Alex Huntley, who I have been told has spent several hours in the gym to get that physique that had the ladies in the audience even hotter under their collars!

The slimy Professor Callaghan was played by Robert Goll. he completely embodied this role and this musical suits his voice so well. I saw Bill Ward play this part in the National tour and much as I enjoyed Bill, I really enjoyed Rob's portrayal.

Warner Huntington III is played by Jacob Fowler. A wonderful leading man and what a voice this man has. I noted his voice in another production earlier this year. In this show we got to hear more from Jacob and he has one of those voices that would sound great on the radio. He has a current sounding tone but also quite old school 90's soul. His voice is made for musicals, as well as recording and his timing is spit on.

Charlotte Howarth plays Vivienne. I have been lucky enough to have seen Charlotte in several parts and shows all over Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire and every time I see her, she grows as an actor and that voice is a belter.

Brooke Wyndham, the fitness queen is played brilliantly by Georgia Hodgett-Young, and you have to admire her energy levels as she sings, skips and acts without missing a beat. the skipping scene is one of my favourites, and the timing in this scene alone is one that has to work, and it does.

Elle's best friends are Margot (Bethany Wear), Serena (Grace Hodgett-Young) and Pilar (Laura Ellis). Three very capable actors who again, I've seen grow in their acting roles, and I love the harmonies created by these three. Really well cast.

Enid Hoopes is another Harvard intern who is on the case in Callaghan's team, and a lovely comedy part for Cassie Hall.

Holly Neil, who is a newcomer to me, plays Chutney - who would name their child Chutney? - Wyndham. Holly has been in several productions before making her Spotlight debut, and I look forward to seeing her in the future, especially as she can do accents and sings soprano.

Tano Gangemi is another new name to me but plays Nikos, the man in the dock who works for Brooke as a pool man. A minor comic role where we have to decide if he is gay or European. The truth is out, quite literally when his best friend, or is that boyfriend Carlos, played by Matthew Wesson, a scene they both steal and attracts a massive round of applause for both.

Stan Cook, who I think I last saw in Spotlight's successful "The History Boys" pops up again as Aaron Schultz, as well as other various roles.

Talking of playing various roles, Matty Collins, i think, gets the record for this in this production including Dewey, Paulette's ex who has a disgusting habit of sticking his finger in his naval and sniffing his fingers.

Now we must not forget the two canine lovelies here. So well behaved they are and they seem to have enjoyed their thespian roles as their tales never ceased to stop wagging. Hugo played Rufus and Lady played Bruiser.

I said that this production had a massive cast and there were another 28 in the ensemble and playing other roles.

The production team are Amanda Hall (Director), Jessica Royce(Choreography) and Geoff Burnhill (Musical Director); the dream team.

A wonderfully clear sound by Rob Kettridge and a great lighting design by Tom Mowat.

I knew from just a few minutes in that this show would warrant a standing ovation, and they certainly got one.

It's just a crime that this wonderful production was only on for two nights because it could have so easily have ran for longer.